Entire home

The Timber Lodge

Photo gallery for The Timber Lodge

Exterior
Exterior
Exterior
Property grounds
Exterior
Reviews
10

Exceptional

5 bedrooms3+ bathroomsSleeps 18

Popular amenities

  • Fireplace
    FireplaceFireplace
  • Air conditioning
    Air conditioningAir conditioning
  • Kitchen
    KitchenKitchen
  • Barbecue grill
    Barbecue grillBarbecue grill
  • Outdoor space
    Outdoor spaceOutdoor space
  • Free WiFi
    Free WiFiFree WiFi

Check-in time

4:00 PM

Check-out time

10:00 AM

Explore the area

Map
Empire, MI
  • Popular LocationGlen Lake7 min drive
  • Popular LocationSleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore14 min drive
  • Popular LocationSleeping Bear Point Coast Guard Station Maritime Museum22 min drive
  • AirportTraverse City, MI (TVC-Cherry Capital)35 min drive

Rooms & beds

5 bedrooms (sleeps 18)

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 3

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 4

2 Queen Beds and 1 Double Sofa Bed

Bedroom 5

1 Queen Bed

Living Room 1

1 Double Sofa Bed

Master

1 King Bed

3 bathrooms, 1 half bathroom

Bathroom 1

Toilet · Shower only · Jetted bathtub

Bathroom 2

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Bathroom 3

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Bathroom 4

Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen

About this property

The Timber Lodge

The Timber Lodge is a spacious home located on a 5 acre wooded parcel in the middle of all the action. You're minutes from Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes National Lakeshore; Empire, Glen Arbor and only 20 minutes from Traverse City. This contemporary home includes 5 bedrooms, 3.5 bathroom, spacious 'bonus room' with bunk beds, large kitchen and dining room, multiple living rooms; one including a fieldstone fireplace. The Timber Lodge has a cozy relaxing front porch and large three level rear deck perfect for grilling and entertaining; conveniently decorated with lights for guest to enjoy long into the evening. Guest are close to endless activities; The Platte River or Crystal River for tubing/kayaking/canoeing, local restaurants, wineries, breweries, The Cherry Bowl Drive-In, Beaches, Golf Courses and local trails for hiking and/or biking. Explore what Northern Michigan has to offer during the day then come back to The Timber Lodge to relax, unwind and unplug from the high speed internet. It won't disappoint!

Property manager

Kasey Therrien
Premier Host
Premier Host

Languages

English

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Free WiFi
Air conditioning
Outdoor space

House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 10:00 AM

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17

Events

No events allowed

Pets

No pets allowed

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Smoking is ONLY allowed outside.
NO operating motorized vehicles on lawn.

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock

About the area

Empire

This holiday home is located in Empire. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and Lake Michigan. Sleeping Bear Point Coast Guard Station Maritime Museum and Great Wolf Lodge Water Park are also worth visiting. Kayaking offers a great chance to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with hiking and cycling nearby.
Map
Empire, MI

What's nearby

  • Glen Lake - 7 min drive
  • Little Glen Lake - 13 min drive
  • Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore - 14 min drive
  • Crystal River - 17 min drive
  • Sleeping Bear Point Coast Guard Station Maritime Museum - 22 min drive

Getting around

  • Traverse City, MI (TVC-Cherry Capital) - 36 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Peg Town Station - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪La Becasse Restaurant - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Broomstack Kitchen And Taphouse - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪Food For Thought - ‬16 min drive
  • ‪The Foothills Cafe - ‬10 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is The Timber Lodge pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at The Timber Lodge ?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at The Timber Lodge ?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is The Timber Lodge located?

Situated in Empire, this holiday home is 3.1 mi (4.9 km) from Glen Lake and within 9 miles (15 km) of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and Bright Lake. Philip A. Hart Visitor Center and Little Glen Lake are also within 9 miles (15 km).

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 26 out of 28 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 28 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 28 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 28 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 28 reviews" "

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

9.8/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Tom S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
A successful family reunion
What a delightful home in a dramatically beautiful area! We have been familiar with the area for many years, and the property is close enough to easily get to all our favorite locations, like the dune climb, Pierce-Stocking Scenic Drive, Glen Haven, the Crystal River, etc. Our 3 children and their spouses, along with our 12 grandchildren (2 of whom are still crib sleepers), joined us for a week at Timber Lodge. The home is spacious, comfortable, and impeccably clean! We appreciated the separate gathering areas so kids could play while adults chatted. The smaller living room with a door contained the noise of early-waking little ones as they played. The picnic tables on the deck provided space for family meals. The kids loved playing kickball in the large back yard, and the bunk room was a great place for a lot of them to sleep. The hosts had thought of most anything we could possibly need during our stay. The supply of bathroom towels was impressive! The kitchen is completely supplied with quality pans, any needed cooking utensils and appliances, including slow cookers, rice cooker, air fryer, etc. There are indoor and outdoor games available, and the Legos were a hit for some of our grandkids. The host was quickly responsive to any communication, and we are totally grateful for finding this house. We would definitely recommend this property to others who are planning a family gathering.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kimberly T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Timber Lodge stay
Our family stayed at the Timber Lodge for a long weekend and had a great time. The house was EXTREMELY clean and had everything we needed and more. Every detail has been thought out by the owners of this very nice home. It is very comfortable and has multiple areas where you can enjoy your stay. The flat top grill was great to feed the family. There was a lot of family games for indoor and outdoor to enjoy. I would highly recommend.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Judith W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Grandma's 80th Birthday
My family had a great stay at Timber Lodge! This beautiful property is in a fantastic location, and we were so happy to have found this rental. Our favorite parts were the decor, the welcoming vibe, and the outdoor games for the kiddos... so thoughtful! Unfortunately, the weather did not allow us to enjoy the spacious outdoor decks and excellent lawn fully, but we had plenty of room inside for the kids to play and the parents to relax. My one "opportunity for improvement" suggestion would be a different coffee maker. The provided ten-cup BUN was a bit small for my family, and it brews very slowly, but we managed. I highly recommend this property and look forward to booking another stay soon!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kevin M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The perfect house
This is such a great place to stay. It was well maintained and had everything you need to enjoy the area. Plenty of space to accommodate everyone. The amenities within the house are above and beyond. Everything you need to be comfortable is available for you. The kitchen contained everything needed to cook every meal at the house. Will be staying again in the future.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Heather S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Spacious and relaxing!
We had a mother/daughter getaway with my mom and her 4 sisters and all the daughters. The house was absolutely beautiful and so spacious and relaxing. One of my aunt's actually left her Bluetooth speaker and phone charger and the hosts reached out to us very shortly after we had checked out! Thankfully we were still in town and they allowed us to come back and get our things! We were very appreciative as we all live 3 hours away. If we ever do a family trip in this area again we will definitely keep this house and hosts in mind!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kecia W., Chicago

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Wonderful stay at a beautiful home!
We enjoyed a relaxing week in this beautiful, well-furnished home! My parents, siblings, and our kids (aged 1-15) had plenty of space to spread out and be together, and the outdoor space was particularly beautiful! The hosts were attentive and immediately took care of any questions or needs - thank you so much!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Ed M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Relaxing and beautiful
Our party of 15 had a wonderful time! The house was very clean, spacious and well appointed. The hosts were very responsive and answered the few questions we had promptly. The backyard was also very spacious with a nice fire pit and a large deck that easily accommodated our family. The house is in close proximity to Empire, Glen Arbor and Lake Ann, all within a very short driving distance. Spend a day in Traverse City (also a short drive) enjoying Lake Michigan and all Traverse has to offer. The property comes highly recommended on VRBO. After our stay, we concur with the aforenoted recommendations and we also highly recommend the property for your group’s enjoyment.
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Trevor L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great property, fully stocked!
This property was perfect for our multi-generational family vacation. The house was roomy and in great shape and has a FULLY stocked kitchen with lots of high quality pots and pans and utensils and appliances and just about anything you’d need. The house also has lots of games we all enjoyed playing and even a wii and a dvd library! The location was perfect too. The house feels remote and secluded but you’re super close to traverse and sleeping bear. One of the best VRBO experiences I’ve ever had!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Carol G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
This place is amazing!
We stayed at the house for a ladies trip with family and friends to celebrate my daughter’s upcoming nuptials. There were 15 of us and the house was perfect. The pictures don’t do it justice. There was plenty of room for everyone and it never felt crowded. It’s a quiet, peaceful property. The house itself was quiet even with that many people. If you were upstairs sleeping or watching a movie downstairs you couldn’t hear the people in the rest of the house. The location is perfect and close to several great places to visit. I would definitely stay there again with a large group!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Melissa W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Hidden gem very close to Traverse City!
We loved this home! It had plenty of room for our family, & it was very well stocked. Beautiful location - scenic & we could do lots on the Leelanau Peninsula & Traverse City area. Great owners - very responsive. It’s a must stay!
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Cora S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful and comfy stay with friends - perfect for large groups
The house was the perfect location for groups looking to enjoy a great middle point between Traverse City and the Sleeping Bear Dunes. It was so clean and roomy for all 14 guests. Phone network is limited but new fast stream Wi-Fi worked great!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Michele M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The most perfect large home we have ever rented
First, the photos dont do the home justice. its absolutely gorgeous! Every square inch of the place is immaculate. We had 16 people comprised of 4 different families for two of the days and it housed everyone with plenty of space. The kitchen was perfectly equipped. We made meals every day and wanted for nothing yet plenty if pantry space for anything we needed to cook. the outdoor grill was excellent. plenty of extra propane and we grilled at least twice a day. indoor and garage fridge. The house had a wii and movies and games for chill times. The beds were RIDICULOUSLY comfortable (unless homes we rent from a local management company in GA). The only thing to know is the internet is slow and so two of us working from home was a challenge but its to be expected in the woods (just wanted to give anyone a heads up). We would rent the home in a heartbeat!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Dianna M., West Bloomfield, Michigan

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Absolutely perfect property
This was a perfect family retreat for us. The layout of the house gave everyone privacy, while giving us several gathering places to have meals, play games, even work for the few that needed to connect with their jobs. We had 2 two year old children, who loved the huge backyard. This place felt so secluded and private, yet we were short drives from beaches, restaurants, wineries, trails, art galleries, special shops and the sand dunes! Communications with the property manager were excellent. We had everything we needed, and cooked many evening meals in the beautiful kitchen. Anyone who wants to explore the Traverse City and surrounding peninsulas, should definitely choose this place. Loved it!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2022

8/10 Good

Michael K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, listing accuracy
Beautiful property in Empire, MI
The house was very clean and well stocked with everything that you needed for the week. The property location was pretty far removed from all the places of interest that we wanted to visit. As forewarned, the wifi was weak, but passable for our family. We ran into no issues with our rental except for the weather. OH... one more thing...the lower level of the house was pretty cold at night. We could not turn on any heat with the AC running in the other zones.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Allison K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful & Spacious
Large family vacation. The house and property are absolutely wonderful. Clean, spacious and full stocked kitchen, bathrooms and bedrooms. Prime location for exploring all surrounding areas (dunes, drive, hikes, beaches, water activities, glen arbor, Sutton bay, mission peninsula, fish town, Leland, etc.) Would recommend to anyone with a big group. The house is so comfortable for multiple families. We had an awesome time and made so many wonderful memories for our family and little ones. Thank you!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Annette G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Perfect location
Would rent this property again!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Marcae P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Fantastic experience
This house had everything we needed and wanted plus more! The house was beautiful, clean, and fully stocked! We really appreciated the details big and small that the hosts offered us. We had the best VRBO experience staying here. Thank you so much for the amenities and for providing a safe and comfortable place for us to vacation. We loved the patio and back yard and were so thankful for use of the grill, the extra wood for the campfire, the extra refrigerator in the garage and the abundance of towels. We had a fantastic time at this property. It felt like a home away from home.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Christina P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Amazing!
Super clean home with loving vibes. Beautiful backyard oasis.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

Heidi M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, location, listing accuracy
Disliked: Communication
Location Location Location!
The house was immaculate inside and out. It sits on a large private lot with an awesome private yard and beautiful deck. The location is PERFECT for touring around to Traverse City, Glen Arbor, Leland, Frankfort, Suttons Bay and the Sleeping Bear Dunes. The communication prior to arrival was awesome, however, I never heard from anyone to see if we had what we needed once we arrived. Our only issue was the internet. The speed was terrible. There was not enough bandwidth for emailing and internet browsing. Some of our group are sales executives and one had to pay for a hotel room in Traverse City to be on a video conference call, this was disappointing. I hope that you will consider improving your internet speed as it is not uncommon for guests to need to work some while on vacation. The house and location were still so good that I gave you 5 stars and moving forward I will inquire about internet speed when renting. :-)
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

Bruce C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Affordable and Amazing
This is a beautiful house and property nicely located in the woods and near all the sights and activities of this beautiful area. We had 12 people (including 4 kids 14 and under) which accommodated us very nicely with its spacious and comfortable rooms; we also enjoyed the large comfortable deck for outdoor dining and fun. Also, the house was very well equipped with all the basic necessities needed for a week's stay including a very large supply of towels. Air conditioning was a plus, as were the ceiling fans in each bedroom. The bonus room downstairs was especially appealing for our 4 grandchildren. We enjoyed the house, deck and yard immensely. In short, a very modern, clean and luxurious rental with all the amenities at a very reasonable price. We highly recpommend this rental, especially for a family or group in need of lots of space and comfort.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

Sally G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Everything was excellent.
The house and grounds were spotless. You thought if everything for a wonderful stay. We would recommend this property to everyone. Thank you so much.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Janet S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great house for our family reunion
The Timber Lodge more than exceeded our expectations for our family reunion of 9. The house and grounds are beautiful. Our hosts were so thoughtful to supply everything one might need on vacation, from cooking utensils to games, and even welcome treats. The outdoor space was perfect for family meals, reading a book, playing backyard games and roasting marshmallows at the fire pit. The management company and hosts were so gracious and responsive. I can’t write enough good things about our experience.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021

8/10 Good

Tammy H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, listing accuracy
Timber Lodge Stay
House was clean, clean, clean. Wonderful place to stay with family. Beautiful outside living area. Great yard.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Janet S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Family Reunion
This home was perfect for our family reunion of 13. It was clean, cozy and quiet. We wanted for nothing. The kitchen was impressively stocked; linens were luxurious and ample; and the private location in the middle of the woods was a short drive to everywhere we wanted to go. The amazing yard provided a tranquil setting for our outdoor meals. We highly recommend it.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Guy N.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Wonderful place. Even has a resident chipmunk keeping porch clean.
Very roomy. Very clean. A/C works very well. Everything needed. Games, video console. Extensive movie library. Close to Traverse City. Excellent shopping nearby. Lighthouse museums, National Cherry Festival. Several beaches, river tubing or kayaking. Two big refrigerators. The kitchen trash can requires years of Jedi training.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021

About the host

Hosted by Kasey Therrien

Host profile image

Languages:

English

Premier Host

Premier Host
They consistently provide great experiences for their guests
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